Former Lone Star's striker, "Boye Charles" speaks publicly for the first time regarding the friction that once tore the friendship between himself and George Weah.

 

PROVIDENCE, RI, February 17 - Nearly ten years since he became engulfed in a speed of controversies over differences with Lone Star's technical team, former national team striker Jonathan Boye Charles Sogbie spoke out  here last weekend

 

"In this entire storm, I have tried to find what really went on between Ambassador Weah and me, but I can't lay my finger on a single wrong he personally did to me," declared the former Lone Star striker.

 

Weah (Glasses), Sogbie (Back turn)

"George Weah and I are good friends, though we didn't hang out together like I did with some of the other players.

 

His bid for the presidency is a legitimate one and I see why we should not unite behind him", Sogbie told the Daily Observer"  

 

"The Liberian people stood behind us they had the courage to live for one day after another because of Lone star. So it's time we prove that unity - that we have a sense of unanimity," he added.

 

Boye Charles disclosed that he has been approached by several other candidates and campaigns, but made it clear that  "I will not allow any of them to use me for any political or selfish reasons."

 

He said he has spoken at a Charles Brumskine event in Maryland sometimes ago, when he urged young Liberians to go home and participate in the political process, adding  "and other people have come to me for support -- all of a sudden -- I have become important to the Liberian politicians."

 

"I was very careful not to declare any support for any candidate, because I know what's happening, and I am no fool to be used," Charlie added with a grim look. 

 

Boye Charles, who made a surprised appearance at the Valentine dinner, hosted for Presidential favorite, George Weah, took to the stage, ending nearly a decade of confusion over his relations with Ambassador Weah.

 

"I am very glad to be here tonight and I thank Ambassador Weah for coming," said Sogbie.

 

He was philosophical and less political in his brief speech, but the former Lone Star striking maestro was keen to lay to rest rumors and the controversy that clogged their teammate relationship from Invincible Eleven to Lone Star.

 

"Tonight, we must all embrace peace. By peace I mean peace, not just the word, but an attitude. Peace is not only the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice," lamented Sogbie and commending a huge applauds from the audience.

 

Charlie, as he's called, again joined the Weah party in Worcester, MA, where he spoke of the importance of the sacrifices made in blood and tears, by African and International soldiers, to bring us to this point.

 

"If you see any of those nationals, if you can't say hello, please, please give them a smile," he said.

 

"Liberians and the families of those African brothers must understand that in the Hall of Fame for peace, life is patriotic and blood is symbolic," he noted.

 

Comments by Weah and Charlie quickly made ends with some Liberians, who might have only heard of the names, but never seen them in persons.

 

"These two fellow make a lot of sense to me, because they are speaking of issues that I'd thought were too deep for them to understand," said Jane Harris, 29, who said friends had encouraged to go and listen from a Boston suburb. 

 

"It's helped me see and hear from Mr. Weah for the first time since I watched him played for IE.

 

He is very intelligent I must say and I think he did change minds here tonight," added Joseph Nimely, 33, of Worcester.

 

Boye Charles' move to showcase the end of an era marked with divisions that pitted him against a rather heavily-favored team captain will bring relief to local fans in Liberia.